Septic Tanks 101

Many homes in the Oneida area have a septic tank to treat waste water.
While many different models and configurations exist for residential septic
tanks, they all have the same two main components:

A tank for storing waste water and separating the solids

A field bed for filtering and absorbing the water

If you’ve ever had a septic tank problem, you know what a hassle
it can be, especially during the winter. However, taking care of your
residential septic tank on a regular basis to keep it working properly
can help you avoid any unpleasant and costly concerns later on.

How to Take Care of Your Tank

Most residential septic tanks are made of either concrete or plastic buried
under the ground. There are several things to consider when maintaining
your septic tank:

Where your tank is situated in your yard — It’s important to know where your tank is situated to avoid
driving over it. Too much weight over your tank can cause it to crack
or cave in.

Trees and large shrubs — Your septic tank should be kept away from trees and large shrubs. Their
roots can create cracks in your septic tank or damage and block your absorption bed.

Removing sludge — Every few years, your septic tank needs to be pumped to remove the solid
sludge that accumulates at the bottom. Failure to do so can result in
a septic tank that overflows, and fails to treat your waste water properly.

Watch What You Put Into Your Tank

All of the waste water from your home goes into your septic tank. This
means you need to pay close attention to everything you flush and pour
down the drain. There are a few general rules you can follow:

Never put solids down the toilet — These may include diapers and cloths, which can clog your plumbing
because they won’t be able to break down in your septic system.

Avoid putting grease, coffee grinds and cooking fats down your drain — These take a long time to break down and can disturb the natural
bacteria in your septic tank that’s necessary for proper functioning.

Limit the amount of water you use — Not only will this lower your residential water bill, but it will
also put less strain on your septic tank. Most household products are
okay for your septic tank in small quantities.

Never put chemicals like acetone, oil or paint into your septic system — These cannot be treated by your system, and they can cause serious
pollution problems in your yard.

When Your Tank Needs Attention

It can be tempting to try commercial products that claim to ‘activate’
or ‘improve’ your septic tank, but these are not necessary.
If you follow our guidelines for maintaining a proper septic tank, nature
will take care of your waste water. If you’re not sure if your septic
tank is working properly, or if you have problems with your drain flow,
Mr. Rooter can help. We service Oneida and the surrounding area, so give
us a call and let us know how we can help you with our residential plumbing
services and septic tank maintenance.